TomHill

The ladies are around 60 days old now.  21 of those days were a struggle through crazy temperature/humidity fluctuations  (had to get a thermostat/hygrostat) and high EC. The EC kept swinging out of control due to the blocks being reused and not being properly purged. The plants have happily recovered now. 

These girls go into slabs for flowering in the next week or two. 

EC 1.2 / pH 6.2

25C° / Humidity 62.5%

1L jug vs Lavender in 10cm Rockwool cube

If a person has cannabinoids in their body, doesn't mean that they are intoxicated. 

On 11/4/2018 at 9:18 PM, Zrubin said:

Hey guys~

I'm about to begin purchasing all the supplies for my first grow setup. I'm planning on using a 120x60x165 grow tent and making most of the setup quite simple. The only thing I'm struggling with are my lighting options. After doing lots of research I would like to go with LEDs and currently I'm gonna go for this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PH1MQV8/ref=twister_B07G1X9WDC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&coliid=I3NWA0TLWRM29M&colid=36XJU6JJ1Y5YB.

Has anyone bought anything from Amazon? Also if anyone has suggestions for local lighting options that aren't LEDs I'm all for listening!

 

edit: probs should have mentioned my budget. Trying to stay below 2k

Just be very sure that the unit takes 110v~240v!! An you might want a USA to RSA plug adapter....

Otherwise, the order is fulfilled by Amazon, so you are good for shipping being handled by Aramex. 

I can vouch for their service many times over. Cheapest delivery option usually arrives in 7-10 days. 

600w is coolable with fans only. The issue is your ventilation..

If fresh air enters the room you can draw from there, but you have to get that hot air out for that to work! Properly exhausting the hot air makes a big difference, having a cool fresh intake too.  

The day temp is high, the room gets hot for an indoor garden. If you can, move the grow to a southern facing room. Alternatively better insulate the current room or the tent.  What are the air temperatures at night when your system runs? 

I wouldn't worry about neighbours to much anymore, especially for a 600w grow. It is just a vent after all... 

We need more info to better advise you. 

What grow lights are you using?

What is the total wattage of all the equipment in the grow room/tent?

Is your Intake fresh air? what size inline? 

Is your exhaust venting away and outdoors? what size inline? 

What is the ambient temperature of the air at your intake? 

Is the room insulated? Is it North facing?  

9 hours ago, Zrubin said:

Hey guys, I'm new to this and have done about a month of research and am finally ready to start my first grow. 

Start growing with bagseed instead, far cheaper school fees. Grown properly it will knock the socks off the original bud you got it from. 

6 minutes ago, 420SA said:

Thanks @TomHill  the phresh does look legit but I'm gonna need something a little smaller. 

I actually have the 6" x 8" (150mm x 200mm) option, so it is a bit shorter. You can push or pull through them, so perhaps you can make it fit your situation. 

28 minutes ago, greenkush said:

You really don't need a carbon filter to filter the incoming air, unless you live in a super polluted area.

You don't need a rope to go rock climbing, it certainly helps when you fall 

I cool using positive pressure to further keep nasties out, a good filter is a must for me. 

Linda Seeds & Original Sensible Seeds are two great Spanish options. Linda has a well priced courier option that I am yet to try out. 

Female Seeds is a Dutch store with fantastic genetics. The parcels ship from the Dutch Caribbean Islands. 

7 minutes ago, 420SA said:

Nico is on the ball and getting it right. I'm also a local seedbank skeptic like you but would gladly order from him again 

Absolutely. Glad to support business ethic like this ^_^

I use Phresh Intake Filter 6 in x 12 in 450 CFM to clean my intake. 

When I ordered them they were R1500 incl shipping + duties. With the current exchange it is around R2000

I am always dubious of  local seed sellers. Seeing a positive order or two here on the forums using Trophy Seeds, I decided to give them a try.

Ordered from their selection of single female seeds and paid in cash. Trophy seeds respond quickly, are friendly and keep you updated on your order details. 

Shipping is discreet and well packaged. Delivery time was one business day outside of Gauteng. 

100% Germination in 3 days.  

I thought one of the seeds might be cracked, tried germinating it, and it seems it may of been two seeds fused together. 

3 hours ago, 420SA said:

Why the switch from Nutriplex to the powder feed?

What's your current dosage with nutriplex?

Nothing against Nutriplex as it works great, I have had many successful grows with it and will still be running it on other plants (not featured in this grow)

I am switching to test if there are any gains to be had using a different nutrient range. Especially adding the calcium chelate as the water being used is extremely soft.  Will be running some GHE too soon I hope, in the past I have had fantastic results from it. 

As for the dosage, the plants have just been switched to:

EC 0.8 / 512 ppm

5ml micro / 4L

5ml grow / 4L

2.5ml bloom / 4L

0.4 ml EM / 4L

Grown with Nutriplex - Female Seeds NL  C99

2 minutes ago, Prawnapple said:

Should I just grab as many as I can until I end up at 250 W? Should they all be the exact same bulb? Or do you specifically mean 2 bulbs or a certain sort?

If you are asking that question you need to do a lot more reading. 

I am referring to a 250w Metal Halide bulb and 250w High Pressure Sodium bulb respectively. The former is for vegetative growth, the latter is for flowering. 

The girls slowed down a lot due to me overwatering and underfeeding by 0.4, terrified they dry out when I am not around.  Corrected the issues and they are bouncing back in health. 

Will be switching next week from Nuttriplex to GreenHouse Powder Feeding (Short Flowering & Calcium). 

pH 5.8, EC 0.8 / 512 ppm

Week 4

\

2 hours ago, Prawnapple said:

Which of these two would you recommend:

https://hydroponic.co.za/hydroponics/venture-metal-halide-mh/

https://hydroponic.co.za/hydroponics/venture-high-pressure-sodium-hps/

I'll see if I can find some place that sells a 400Watt Ballast. I've never used a Ballast so I have no idea how to use  them lol. Any ideas or shall I rather youtube it?

You don't want to go higher than 250w in that tent. I am running a 250W MH in exactly the same setup and it is more than enough. If you go higher wattage you will have heat issues. 

Just grab the bulbs from your local electrical wholesaler., you will get both for less than the price of one bulb from a grow shop.

If you have the time and feel capable, google how to wire a ballast for either MH or HPS. Then buy the ballast ignitor and capacitor at your local electrical wholesaler too. 

Otherwise just order a digital ballast most will run 250w, look for a model with a fan that cools the circuit board.  

Feel free to ask for help if you get stuck.

Yeah, dead as dead can be .

Try with some bagseed first before using your expensive genetics. 

1 hour ago, Green Leaf Organics said:

Dont know where you got the info that's it's highly recommended to use co2 on any light over 300w , that's just wrong. I personally ran 4000w without co2 suplimentation for years with beautiful results  and the sun is definately over 300w

It isn't wrong, you have misunderstood. 

I am talking about the amount of light in the given growing space vs available carbon dioxide in the air. The main factors affecting rate of photosynthesis are light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature. In any given situation any one of these may become a limiting factor, in other words the factors that directly affects the rate at which photosynthesis can take place masking the effects of the other factors.  The supply of carbon dioxide will eventually be insufficient to support a higher rate of photosynthesis, and increasing light intensity will have no effect, so the rate plateaus.

I can see how my wording is poor there and could confuse, I have reworded the first line below to clarify.

Quote

In that space I would go with a 250W HID MH/HPS.  Over 300W it is highly recommended the grower use Co2 in their room, your plants will only be able to photosynthesise a certain amount of light before needing a Co2 boost to benefit. Co2 is just not practical for your use.  

Most magnetic ballasts can flip between MH/HPS these days. If you are willing to do some DIY, you can grab the bulb, ballast, ignitor and capacitor for around R600`. For a timer it is another R300 +-  and a budget reflector from a grow shop is around R400.  

Total for the whole system around R1300 +-

Clarification -  "In that space I would go with a 250W HID MH/HPS.  Over 300W in that space, it would be highly recommended the grower use Co2 in the room..."

8 hours ago, Prawnapple said:

Hi All,

Which light would be best for an all-purpose setup? I would like to grow indoors in about a 70cmx70cm to 1mx1m area anything from 1.2 - 1.8m high tent / area. https://hydroponic.co.za/hydroponic/plant-lighting/ - These guy are close to my home and offer a large range of flow lights. My price range is R0 - R1000 max for a light.

All suggestions welcome

Thanks alot.

In that space I would go with a 250W HID MH/HPS.  Over 300W it is highly recommended the grower use Co2 in their room, your plants will only be able to photosynthesise a certain amount of light before needing a Co2 boost to benefit. Co2 is just not practical for your use.  

Most magnetic ballasts can flip between MH/HPS these days. If you are willing to do some DIY, you can grab the bulb, ballast, ignitor and capacitor for around R600`. For a timer it is another R300 +-  and a budget reflector from a grow shop is around R400.  

Total for the whole system around R1300 +-

42 minutes ago, CaNaWidow said:

I will have to do some DIY sometime soon. First having a power issue currently - 600 is tripping the earth leage.

As for making a hole in the wall - what is a good way of getting through drywall neatly?

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk
 

You may need a breaker with more amps, tho 600W tripping the earth leakage sounds to me like a faulty plug point. You are using a wall socket right? 3 prong wall sockets are normally good for 15 amps, that shouldn't trip with 600W. I am not a sparky, so full disclaimer. 

Dry wall is easy to cut through. Use a good stanley knife or jigsaw (drill a guide hole) to make the opening.  

1 hour ago, Hansom1 said:

Would love to see some images of the setup you had if you have. Still trying to put together the best possible formation.

 

It was around 8 years ago, haven't got any pictures. Don't over think it, this setup is simple to get right. 

• Cut two holes for your intake and extraction fans.
• Paint the base of the cabinet and 20cm of the bottom sides with  a.b.e. "super laykold" or a similar liquid rubber product.  
• Line the walls with some diamond pattern reflective mylar
• Hang your light bulb and reflector.
• Hang a box fan in one of the top corners for oscillation. 

That is all you will need to get going. Plug and Play after that. 

In winter you may want to add a heating/cooling thermostat to maintain the temperature. 

Keep the ballast out of the cabinet (I hung mine at the back). If it is a magnetic ballast, get a small fan to cool it if heat becomes an issue. Buying the globe, ballast, capacitor and ignitor form your local electrical wholesaler, you save roughly R1000. 

AD/DC sell well priced wall extraction fans, that will cost you a fraction of what inline fans do and suit your need here. If you want to future proof the build for a later possible upgrade, then just grab an inline fan. 

On 9/23/2018 at 12:44 PM, Hansom1 said:

So I've managed to get myself a steel cabinet well it really just was being tossed. 

 

I've looked around and seen some stealthy growcabnets. And though I could start a small project. 

 

But I'll leave it to you guys what do you think is the best set up for such a cupboard. 

 

Picture attached below.

 

Haha, gave me a chuckle. I started out my first grows in a cabinet like this. I had two extraction 110m3/h fans for intake & extraction. One hole at the bottom and the other at the top directly behind the light.

Ran a 400w in there and could fit about 3-6 plants in it.

On 10/20/2018 at 6:06 AM, CaNaWidow said:

"-600w air cooled hood with 6 inch fan, currently extracting and circulating in the same room (not possible to exhaust out or pull air in)"

I know you can't do it, tho I will repeat  the above advice. You need to get fresh air directly in (preferably from a southern face) and hot air directly out. That should meet the cooling needs of a 600W air cooled hood. If you could get the warm air vented out, perhaps the cool air flowing in through the gaps you describe may be enough for a fresh intake. 

Very neat, excited to see the NFT in action.  Do you have the pump on a batterie/UPS, or do you not worry about power outage? 

Also, is worm tea the sole additive you are using? 

It depends on the individual circumstances. Do you have to move in the next few years? Have you got enough space so that a grow room wouldn't interfere with your daily living? What budget do you have? How much work setting up is worth it to you? etc etc

If you have the space and can afford the initial outlay for it, a permanent custom made grow room is the better option.  If insulated and sealed your grow room will produce better cannabis, consistently and regularly. 

I have had them all... Cabinets, DIY makeshifts, Tents, Rooms. Currently using a tent since moving, I am now planning and budgeting for a new grow room.   

10 minutes ago, 420SA said:

Thanks for this I will definitely try make a plan. My ph pen has a thin sponge that sits at the end of the cap which is meant to be moistened with the appropriate solution. I think I have a tiny bit of ph 4 solution but its a few years old. Should I use that or would ph 7 solution work at all for now?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 

pH 7 solution will be fine until you get some KCL ^_^